Summary
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is a mid-sized SUV available with either five or seven seats. It is based on the smaller GLA model, although it is closer in size to the larger GLC. The GLB arrived in the UK in late 2019.
The GLB is available with either a petrol or diesel engine – unlike the smaller GLA, which is also offered as a plug-in hybrid. There is also a high-performance model called the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 – we have a separate page for this model.
It has received praise from reviewers for its comfort, safety and advanced technology; however, it has been criticised for limited practicality compared to similarly-priced rivals and for only offering a limited choice of engines.
As of December 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLB holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 66% on our unique Expert Rating Index. It gets good grades for its safety rating and low CO2 emissions, but its media review scores have only been average and its running costs are high.
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-sized SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £39,825 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Spring 2023
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLB is a stylish family SUV with an upmarket interior and seating for seven.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220 d
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLB 220 d is certainly the most competent rival yet for the Land Rover’s baby seven-seater Discovery Sport. It offers strong performance and refinement, along with a better-finished cabin and more coherent in-car tech, but you will have to forego some boot space to get it.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLB puts practicality above all else, and looks all the better for it. It’s not, by any stretch of the imagination, exciting to drive but it is comfortable and refined, and has one of the finest interiors in its class. A truly worthy contender for your next family car.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“A further spin-off from the A-Class hatchback family, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is both a compact SUV and a seven-seat family car in one. Where its GLA brother aims for the younger, crossover crowd the more upright GLB goes out and out for practicality and usability.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d 4Matic AMG Line Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“Up to now, there was a clear gap in the Mercedes-Benz range. We can imagine many drivers with Mercedes-Benz on their choice lists -particularly if they have a family – feeling the GLB is the model best suited to their needs.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“If you opt for a seven-seat GLB (a five-seat version is available), you might be pleasantly surprised with how much room there is, not just in the third row, but all-round.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLB looks great, has a big boot and is available with seven seats, making it desirable and practical.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes GLB is a small, stylish SUV with a posh cabin and seven seats, but alternatives are more practical, cheaper and come with a greater choice of engines.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 220d AMG Line
“New GLB crowns Mercedes’ broad small car range and offers seven-seat practicality (just about), or plenty of passenger and luggage space for five, in a nice-driving package that looks the part as a mini off-roader.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d 4Matic
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLB is ideal for when Postman Pat goes first class – and is fine if you don’t have an issue with how it looks.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Unless you’re willing to spend mega money on a larger model, we don’t think there’s a more desirable seven-seat SUV on the market. The Mercedes-Benz GLB has got a superb interior and – provided you avoid the AMG model – shouldn’t cost a fortune to run.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Four ISOFIX child seat points will appeal to families, as will its various driver assistance systems that have trickled down the range from the S-Class.”
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Model reviewed: Mercedes-AMG GLB 35
“The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is an entertaining SUV oddity. In fact there’s nothing else quite like it, and it’s executed in the usual Mercedes-Benz way – with a quality interior and entertaining driving experience. Its biggest catch, however, is going to be the price which is expected to be in the region of £50,000.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLB is a convincing, if pricey, option. Space in the third row of seats isn’t far off the Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento, yet in return you get a car that’s nicer to drive, has a better interior and features the all-important Mercedes-Benz badge.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Mercedes-Benz bills its new GLB as the ultimate all rounder — and it might be just that”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d AMG Line Premium Plus
Score: 8 / 10
“Surprisingly better than it has a right to be, this B-class on stilts has a great ride quality and decent body control (at least it does on air suspension, although that isn’t available in the UK) and the interior of the top models is gorgeous. You will look like Postman Pat, though.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Not a bad effort from Mercedes. Will do very well, even if the Disco Sport is more likeable and Kodiaq more practical”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 92%
Child protection: 88%
Vulnerable road users: 78%
Safety assist: 74%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of December 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLB has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-Benz GLB to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GLB, we’ll publish the score here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 39 mpg | D | 37 – 50 mpg | B – D |
Diesel models | 48 mpg | C | 45 – 50 mpg | B – C |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 164 g/km | C | 159 – 172 g/km | C – C |
Diesel models | 156 g/km | B | 148 – 166 g/km | B – C |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 30 | C | 27 – 50 | B – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £275 | C |
Year 2 | £669 | C |
Year 3 | £1,208 | C |
Year 4 | £1,383 | C |
Year 5 | £1,853 | C |
Overall | £5,388 | C |
Running costs for the Mercedes-Benz GLB range are a mixed bag, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models and around the market average for diesel-engined versions. Compared to the rest of the mid-sized SUV sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average. Based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research, insurance costs are also likely to be around the market average.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz GLB has received
2021
- Carwow Awards – Best Family SUV
2020
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Medium Family Car
- Business Car Awards – Best Premium Large SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz GLB, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C5 Aircross | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | Land Rover Discovery Sport | Mitsubishi Shogun Sport | Nissan X-Trail | Peugeot 5008 | SEAT Tarraco | Subaru Forester | Toyota RAV4 | Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Mercedes-Benz GLB at The Car Expert
Buy a Mercedes-Benz GLB
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